Long Term Stay in Vientiane, Luang Prabang?

Hey all,

I'm in the very early stages of planning a longer term trip abroad. I'm thinking 6 months to a year. Just want to get out of the States, immerse myself in a new culture for a while, and have a couple loose connections in Laos. I'm trying to decide if this is a good option (I'm looking at a few other countries as well) and one of the biggest considerations is cost of living. Specifically in terms of standard apartment rent (nothing luxurious, but I also don't want a dump) and food costs in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. I visited back in 2004, but can't remember much about prices for a longer stay. I know it's a very broad question to ask but I'm hoping for some good insight. Thanks!

What are you hoping to get out of your stay in Vientiane and Luang Prabang? Because they aren't really the first places I'd think of to 'get away from it all' for 6 months. Have you thought about Lake Toba in Sumatra (Indonesia)?

I'd say you can get buy on $7-10 a day, but be prepared to cook your own rice and live in a small space. These are modern cities, after all.

Of course, you could easily spend $100/day - all depends on your tastes and desires.

Sounds like you should just get back over here and feel things out. You can generally live well on about a grand per month, but of course your lifestyle may dictate otherwise (imports are expensive!) With that kind of freedom are you sure Vientiane is the best choice? I'd be getting out of town somewhere cheaper, more relaxed and beautiful.

If the cost if living is one of your main considerations, then Laos is one of the cheaper countries in SEA, although Vientiane and Luang Prabang are the expensive places in Laos. But Laos is a good place to immerse yourself in a new culture, with some areas less tainted by tourism and commercialisation than a lot of SEA. So I think Laos is a good option, but maybe don't restrict your stay to V or LP, once there, you should be able to sus out some little heard out of, out of the way, place to fully immerse yourself and at a fraction of the cost of V or LP. Good Luck

Agree that one large per month is very do-able in Vientiane. Less outside town.

OP - are you on the lam?

Thanks, all! Yes, there is still much to plan out. A lot of questions, but I'm giving myself a few months to get all the info together before heading off. As far as my budget goes, I'd be working remotely and able to bring in perhaps $700USD/month. I do want to be around people, so a totally isolated town in the middle of nowhere isn't ideal, but I also am in need of a break from a big, bustling city which makes me think I should suss out other areas once I get there.

Regardless, thanks for the advice, everyone. Really appreciate it.

From the Guardian
The 10 least expensive cities in the world

1=. Karachi, Pakistan

1=. Mumbai, India

1. Delhi, India

2. Kathmandu, Nepal

5=. Algiers, Algeria

5=. Bucharest, Romania

1. Colombo, Sri Lanka

2. Panama City, Panama

3. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

4. Tehran, Iran

Majority of your cost will be accommodation in Luang prabang or Vientiane. Luang Prabang is more expensive then Vientiane.

My own experience- surprisingly, Nong Khai on Thailand side is bit less expensive because of more cheap choice of accommodations.

Accommodation you can secure at USD100-150 per month, reasonably central (cycling distance) to city centre.

Not sure about Vientiane but You Should get a decent place below $500 per month in Luang Prabang, Check out this post for some advice on budget accommodation, they have 1 or 2 listed for laos below %500 http://www.digitalnomadcommunity.net/articles/2013/04/24/10-places-to-stay-around-the-world-for-under-500-a-month/